ChuckOp's eXPeriences

Commentary on software design, development and management - plus much more.

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Apple Mouse Marks Mighty Change
Various pundits want to proclaim Apple's new multi-button mouse as a major departure and admission that clean design (in the form of a one-button can't be screwed up manner) isn't always acceptable to the consumer. Recall that the original Macintosh keyboard...
Posted: Aug 17 2005, 10:28 AM by ChuckOp | with 1 comment(s)
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Create New Folder in Explorer – why not easier?
Since I started working with the Windows Explorer shell in Windows 95, I’ve often wondered why there isn’t a “New Folder” toolbar button. Today, I was organizing some files and dragging-and-dropping them to other folders and occasionally, in the middle...
Posted: Mar 23 2005, 10:46 AM by ChuckOp | with 17 comment(s)
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Handy Internet Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts
Here are keyboard shortcuts for use with Internet Explorer. Most work on all versions since 4.01. Not an exhustive list, just those that I use often. Space This scrolls downward a page at a time. Note that oftentimes a form control or a ActiveX object...
Posted: May 06 2004, 01:42 PM by ChuckOp | with 11 comment(s)
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Copy message box text to the clipboard
Ever get a error message and need to write it down? Particular one with an obscure error number like 0x80040e09? Starting with Windows 2000, you can copy the entire contents of a message box to the clipboard by pressing CTRL+C . Software developers often...
Posted: Apr 08 2004, 05:53 PM by ChuckOp | with 58 comment(s)
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History of keyboard access in Windows
This is a response to a posting on the Windows Off-Topic Tech mailing list concerning keyboard access to the taskbar... If you go back in time far enough, it doesn't. When the NT4 team first had the 95 shell forced on them, keyboard access to the systray...
More taskbar/tray keyboard access
Apparently, the shell team at Microsoft threw in another keyboard shortcut to get focus to the tray notification area. This is the section of the taskbar that contains the clock and various status icons. For example, if updates are available on Windows...
Posted: Feb 02 2004, 06:36 PM by ChuckOp | with 2 comment(s)
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Keyboard access to the Windows taskbar
[Edited 2004-01-29 to fix mistakes] Windows 95 introduced the “taskbar.” Designed to remind users what programs were running and to provide a single STARTing point, it was intuitive and original 1 . I didn't join the Windows team until late...
Posted: Jan 27 2004, 10:40 PM by ChuckOp | with 6 comment(s)
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Outlook 2003 rant
OL2003 is the latest evolution of a very sophisticated application, there are many improvements, including excellent junk mail handling, and the space saving two-line view. There are many little nits however. Today’s nit is that OL2003 hides public...
Posted: Jan 23 2004, 08:49 PM by ChuckOp | with 6 comment(s)
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Combo Box Shortcut Keys
Combo boxes in Windows can be dropped down using the keyboard. Press F4 , or ALT+Down Arrow or ALT+Up Arrow .
Posted: Jan 14 2004, 10:10 PM by ChuckOp | with 3 comment(s)
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Ghostzilla - the secret browser
When you can't browse because of who might be looking over your shoulder. This very nifty, full-featured browser doesn't show anything when first loaded. When you gesture with the mouse, the browser subtly appears within the confines of an existing application...
Posted: Jan 12 2004, 11:00 PM by ChuckOp | with 1 comment(s)
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